Blended Dye Carrier Blocks Individual Bar Code Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional container carriers fail to prevent individual container bar codes from being scanned instead of the multi-package bar code, leading to incorrect pricing and inventory control issues when containers are randomly oriented within a multi-package.

Innovation Solution

A flexible carrier with specifically selected blended dyes that absorb laser light and maintain a neutral color, preventing bar code readers from scanning individual container codes by positioning the dyes across the carrier or within the container apertures, and orienting containers to block scanning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional transparent carriers are used, then the carrier allows visibility and maintains a neutral appearance, but individual container bar codes can be scanned instead of the multi-package bar code

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebar code scanning accuracyVSAvoidlaser light transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies bar code blocking material selectively to specific areas of the carrier where individual container bar codes are located, rather than making the entire carrier opaque. This allows the carrier to remain transparent and neutral in appearance while locally preventing scanning of individual container codes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary bar code blocking material between the laser light source and the individual container bar codes. This material absorbs or reflects the laser light, preventing it from reaching the individual bar codes while allowing the multi-package bar code to be scanned.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the carrier is colored or rendered opaque to prevent individual bar code scanning, then bar code reading is blocked, but the carrier loses its neutral color and transparency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual bar code scanning preventionVSAvoidcarrier transparency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses bar code blocking material with specific optical properties that absorb or reflect laser light while maintaining the overall neutral appearance of the carrier. The material is designed to be invisible or minimally visible to the human eye while effectively blocking scanner lasers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of operation

If containers are positioned in random rotational orientations, then the carrier is easy to assemble, but bar code scanners may read individual container codes instead of the multi-package code

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer positioningVSAvoidpricing information accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent preemptively blocks individual container bar codes from being scanned by applying blocking material to the carrier areas where these codes are located. This prevents the harmful effect of incorrect scanning before it can occur, allowing containers to remain in random orientations without causing pricing errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively blocks individual container bar codes from being read by bar code scanners while maintaining a neutral color and allowing the correct multi-package bar code to be scanned, preventing incorrect pricing and ensuring accurate inventory control.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible carrier with specifically selected blended dyes that absorb laser light and maintain a neutral color, preventing bar code readers from scanning individual container codes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

The carrier of the present invention, although traditionally generally transparent, may additionally include an absorbing dye and a fluorescing dye

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS7806257B2Single color bar code printing on a multi-package

Publication Date: 2010.10.05 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for blocking a bar code in a package includes a carrier with a plurality of apertures. The carrier is formed with a plastic material containing an absorbing dye and a fluorescing dye so that a bar code on each container is not readable by a bar code scanner.